Banyan Tree Spa Krabi has been recognised at the Thailand Tourism Awards, taking home the Outstanding Award in the Hotel & Resort category and the Sustainability Award in Health & Wellness Tourism. Both accolades reflect the spa’s dedication to personalized care, sustainable practices, and use of locally sourced ingredients.

While Banyan Tree Spa Krabi secured second prize in both categories, its sister property, Banyan Tree Spa Samui, also made the Top 5 for Outstanding and Top 10 in Sustainability, underscoring the Banyan Tree brand’s growing reputation in luxury, wellness, and sustainability.

Montira Vichiankoo, Spa & Gallery Manager at Banyan Tree Spa Krabi, said, “Our treatments draw from Krabi’s heritage, using ingredients like coconut, turmeric, and tamarind to create authentic experiences. Sustainability is at our core—we support the local community while ensuring our team shares these values with guests. Personalized care is key, from our signature ‘Scent of the Day’ welcome ritual to treatment consultations and self-care guidance after the visit.”

The spa features eight treatment suites with private gardens and adaptive “colour-calm” lighting designed to balance guests’ chakras. It is also home to Krabi’s first hydrotherapy spa, The Rainforest, offering a holistic wellness journey with a Rain Walk, Steam, Sauna, Ice Fountain, Vitality Pool, Outdoor Cold and Hot Plunge Pools, Jet Pool, and Heated Bed.

Banyan Tree Spa Krabi was recently recognised by the MICHELIN Guide as one of Thailand’s seven most luxurious spas and received 2 Keys for its hotel listing. Its Wellbeing Sanctuary programme, led by Ayurvedic specialist Dr Subhash Shanbhag, combines meditation, yoga, massage, nutritious diet, and sleep therapy to deliver a holistic wellness experience.

The resort itself offers 72 suites and villas, all sea-facing with private infinity and jet pools, alongside recreational activities like kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, Thai boxing, hiking, and fine dining with Thai and international cuisine.

About Banyan Tree Group:
Founded in 1994, Banyan Tree Group is a global hospitality leader focused on sustainability, wellbeing, and exceptional design-led experiences. With 58 operating hotels in 17 countries and 47 properties under development, the group has received over 2,900 awards and recognition for its environmental and community initiatives through the Banyan Tree Global Foundation. Strategic partnerships, including a collaboration with Accor, support its global growth and guest loyalty programmes.

Surrounded by ochre-hued mountains, Ras Al Khaimah, the northernmost Emirate of the UAE, offers travellers a journey where heritage and nature seamlessly converge. On World Tourism Day, as the United Nations highlights Tourism and Sustainable Transformation, the Nature Emirate invites slow travellers and culture seekers to walk through 7,000 years of history and discover stories that live under open skies.

The journey begins at Dhayah Fort, a 19th-century stronghold now on the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List. Rising above fertile date wadis and arid mountains, the fort is the UAE’s only surviving hilltop fort. A climb up its 239 stone steps rewards visitors with sweeping views of sea, oasis, and the Jebel Jais range.

A short distance away lies Shimal, a Bronze Age site dating back more than 4,000 years. Stretching across gravel plains and acacia forests, it houses prehistoric tombs, settlements, and the remains of a medieval palace, once a key stop along ancient trade routes connecting the Arabian Gulf to the Indian Ocean.

For a glimpse of more recent history, Al Jazeera Al Hamra offers an evocative window into the Emirate’s pearling past. This abandoned yet well-preserved village features coral-brick homes, souqs, wind towers, and mosques, all telling stories of merchants and divers from before the oil era.

Heritage in Ras Al Khaimah also lives on its waters. At Suwaidi Pearls in Al Rams, the UAE’s only operational cultured pearl farm, visitors board traditional dhows across lagoons framed by mountains and mangroves. Guided tours introduce age-old pearl-diving tools, maps, and traditions, ending with a live oyster-opening demonstration.

The Emirate’s cultural vibrancy shines every winter through the Ras Al Khaimah Art Festival, which transforms Al Jazeera Al Hamra into a living gallery. From humble beginnings in 2013, it has grown into the Emirate’s flagship cultural event. The 2025 edition welcomed 200 artists from around the world, while the upcoming 2026 Biennale will explore Civilizations, A Journey Through Time & Culture, with works spanning visual arts, installations, and film.

Food too carries the imprint of heritage. At restaurants like Skeek and Eayshat Al Awal, traditional Emirati dishes such as rigag, khameer, chebab bread, and balaleet bring authentic flavours to the table. For a mountain experience, Camp 1770, the highest camp in the UAE, pairs guided hikes with tribal dishes like mandi and luqaimat under breathtaking sunsets.

In Ras Al Khaimah, heritage is not only preserved, it is lived. From forts and pearl farms to cuisine and art, the Emirate offers a sensory-rich encounter with authenticity, making it the perfect destination to celebrate World Tourism Day.

Victoria’s visitor economy has reached record levels, with international visitor spending climbing to $43.7 billion, a 20 per cent jump year-on-year—according to new data from Tourism Research Australia. The results highlight how major events and strategic global partnerships are fueling economic growth in the state.

Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events, Steve Dimopoulos, said the latest Domestic Tourism Statistics and International Visitor Survey underline the sector’s strength. “Tourism supports and creates jobs and we’re making sure those opportunities continue to grow. By strengthening ties with international markets, we’re driving new waves of visitors and seeing incredible momentum from overseas visitors,” he said.

Victoria secured 24.7 percent of Australia’s total visitor spend in the year ending June 2025, overtaking Queensland to become the second-highest market share in the country. International visitors stayed 21.5 per cent more nights and arrivals rose by 11.5 per cent, aided by airline partnerships and the Government’s strong international outreach.

India emerged as one of Victoria’s fastest-growing markets, with visitor spending up 78.9 percent compared to last year. The surge was supported by the Labor Government’s India Strategy and high-profile sporting events, including the blockbuster Boxing Day Test. China, meanwhile, remained Victoria’s largest source of international spend at $3.1 billion, a 24.6 per cent increase on the previous year.

Melbourne continues to outperform Sydney as Australia’s top interstate overnight destination, with 3 million nights booked in the June 2025 quarter. Hotels across Melbourne CBD and Greater Melbourne recorded their busiest-ever January through August for bookings. Regional Victoria also benefited, with Victorians spending $1.8 billion across 9.8 million nights in the June 2025 quarter, while international visitors spent $832 million in regional areas over the past financial year.

Visit Victoria CEO Brendan McClements credited the state’s diverse offerings, “From blockbuster sporting events to cultural activity and regional festivals, there is a huge calendar of events delivering benefits right across Victoria. Whether visitors are travelling from across the country or just down the road, Victoria’s compact diversity means there is something for everyone here to enjoy.”

The data comes on the heels of the Premier’s announcement in China of a $43 million investment to promote Victoria globally, strengthening an industry that already supports more than 288,000 jobs. Upcoming highlights include the AFL Grand Final, the NBAxNBL Melbourne Series, French Impressionism at the National Gallery of Victoria, and regional showcases such as the Australian Diamonds in Bendigo.